3 Tips on What to Do When Safari Cannot Download a File

November 2022 · 5 minute read
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Safari can be a great browser, but it can also be very annoying. One of the most common errors that you might encounter is that Safari cannot download a file. This is usually caused by a corrupt or damaged data file being downloaded.

The problem with this error is that it doesn’t give you much information on how to fix it. You might have to try different methods to uncover the underlying problem.

Sometimes when a browser doesn’t work properly there’s no choice but to switch to another one temporarily until you get things working again. You can download Safari for Windows 10 and try whether it works out.

Aside from Mac, users have also reported that they experienced similar problems with:

You can try accessing the same website in another browser and see if it works. If it does, then the problem is with Safari not downloading and not the file itself.

Quick Tip:

A practical way to bypass the downloading issue on Safari is to switch to a more stable browser out there.

Opera is a smart choice for a browser due to its flexible interface that has multiple app integrations or user-centered security tools.

Besides the built-in VPN and adblocker, there is the Opera Flow feature that allows you to share and download files easily without any errors.

Get Opera

Why can’t Safari download a file? 

Some of the common causes why Safari can’t download a file include:

You may also be asking: Why can’t Safari download a file on my iPad? Well, the OS only supports specific file formats so you need to verify that the file you want to download meets the requirements.

How can I allow Safari to download files?

1. Disable extensions 

  • Navigate to Safari on the menu bar and select Safari Extensions.
  • Under the Extensions tab, select the extensions you want to uninstall and click Uninstall.Extensions Safari
  • 2. Clear cache 

  • Navigate to Safari on the menu bar and select Preferences.
  • Click on the Advanced tab and check the Show Develop menu in menu bar box.Advanced tab Safari
  • Select Develop on the menu bar and click Empty Caches.Developer tab Safari
  • As a practical option for cleaning your browser cache, you can rely on cleanup software such as CCleaner to delete cookies or browsing data in seconds.

    3. Allow downloads from other sources

  • Navigate to Safari on the menu bar and select Preferences.
  • Select Security & Privacy then check the App Store and identified developers box under Allow apps downloaded from.
  • Remember, if you allow apps from unidentified developers, you’ll be allowing any app to access your entire device when installed. This includes applications that could potentially steal data or take over your phone.

    Read more about this topic

    Ensure that you trust the site where you are downloading files to prevent exposing your system to vulnerabilities. As a safety tip, we recommend you install a VPN to secure your identity as an extra layer of protection.

    Should you face any other related issues such as Windows not recognizing your iPad, refer to our comprehensive guide on how to go about it.

    We’d love to hear your feedback on what tip came through for you. Leave us a comment down below.

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